Discover the best Instagram spots in Vienna to boost your social media feeds or create fresh content for your blog. Vienna is one of the most photogenic cities in Europe, thanks to its Neo-Gothic, Baroque, and Art Nouveau buildings, majestic public parks, and squares. In this article, you will find the most Instagrammable places in Vienna, including free photo spots.
The article includes information on where to shoot in the city, what time to visit the places listed, and how to get there. The guide includes 10 stunning Vienna Instagram spots, including Schönbrunn Palace & Gardens, Palmenhaus Schönbrunn, and Karlskirche. If you’re looking for the perfect photo backdrop, check out this guide
1. Schönbrunn Palace & Gardens
The Schönbrunn Palace is a must-visit destination in Vienna and is considered as one of the city’s most popular attractions. Originally built as a hunting lodge, it was transformed into a grand imperial residence in the 18th century. While visitors can tour the inside of the palace, photography is not allowed. However, the palace’s stunning exterior and beautiful gardens make it a top spot for Instagram photos, especially during the summer when the gardens are adorned with lovely flowers and tree tunnels. The exterior stairs of the palace also provide a picturesque backdrop for photos and a panoramic view of the gardens.
Location on Google Maps: Schönbrunn Palace
To get to the Schönbrunn Palace, you can take the subway U4 and get off at Schönbrunn or Hietzing stations, or use the tram nr. 10 or 60, or bus nr. 10A and alight at Schloss Schönbrunn. The park gates open at 6:30 am every day, while the Palace opens at 9 am. To avoid the crowds and have the park and palace exteriors to yourself, it’s best to visit early in the morning. Visiting the grounds and gardens is free, but to enter the palace and some special attractions, you’ll need to buy a ticket, which typically starts at €22 per person. You can find more information about ticket options on this page. If you want a guided tour of the palace, consider checking out this highly rated tour.
2. Palmenhaus Schönbrunn
If you have a fondness for plants, the Palm House is a must-visit spot for you. It’s the biggest greenhouse in Austria, situated within the Schönbrunn gardens, making it convenient to explore while touring the gardens. The Palm House consists of three pavilions, and each of them is home to a variety of tropical, subtropical, and Mediterranean plants.
One of the most picturesque places in Vienna is the white spiral staircase located near the entrance, which is ideal for Instagram photos. In addition, you’ll come across several charming little corners and benches throughout the greenhouse that would make for perfect Instagram shots. It’s hard to take a poor photo in such a lovely setting!
Location on Google Maps: Palmenhaus Schönbrunn
To reach the greenhouse, take the U4 subway line and disembark at Hietzing station. After that, it’s about a 7-minute walk to the Palm House. The Palm House is open daily from 10 am. If you want to avoid crowds, it’s best to arrive around opening time. It’s recommended to arrive at the Schönbrunn garden by 8 am, take a stroll around the garden, and then visit the Palm House around 10 am or 10:30 am. The entry ticket costs €9 for each person.
3. Karlskirche
One of the top Vienna Instagram spots is Karlskirche, a stunning Baroque church recognizable by its massive green dome and two towers located at the main entrance. The church was built in the 18th century in honor of Saint Charles Borromeo, who helped eradicate the plague in the city. To capture a perfect shot of the church, you can take photos from outside, particularly from Ressel Park, which offers a view of the church across a pond. Additionally, it’s recommended to go inside to admire the frescoes up close.
Location on Google Maps: Karlskirche
Karlskirche, a stunning Baroque church, is featured on my list of top Vienna Instagram spots. It is recognizable by its colossal green dome and twin towers on either side of the entrance. The church was constructed in the 18th century to honor Saint Charles Borromeo for his contributions during the plague outbreak. You can capture the church’s beauty from outside at Ressel Park, which overlooks a pond with a view of the church. I also recommend exploring the frescoes inside the church.
To reach Karlskirche, you can take the metro to Karlsplatz or the tram to Resselgasse or Gußhausstraße, each a 5-minute walk away. Buses that run along Karlsplatz also serve Karlskirche. The church is open from 9 am to 6 pm Monday through Saturday and from 12 pm to 7 pm on Sundays. The admission charge to enter the church and access the viewing platform is €9.50. The best time to visit is any time of day.
4. Belvedere Palace
To add to the list of the best Instagram spots in Vienna, there is one famous tourist destination that is equally picturesque! Constructed as a summer residence for Prince Eugene of Savoy, this Baroque-style palace now features an extensive art collection including pieces from the famous Gustav Klimt. The Belvedere Palace also has its own gardens that contain many fountains, providing various opportunities for Instagram-worthy pictures without the need to enter the palace.
Location on Google Maps: Belvedere Palace
Belvedere Palace is a popular tourist attraction and also one of the most Instagrammable places in Vienna. Originally meant as a summer residence for Prince Eugene of Savoy, it now houses an impressive art collection including works by Gustav Klimt. The palace is surrounded by gardens and fountains, making it an excellent location for taking photos without having to go inside.
To get to Belvedere Palace, you can take the tram to the Schloss Belvedere stop or use the Wien Quartier Belvedere hub for trams and buses. The closest metro stations are Südtiroler Platz and Taubstummengasse. It’s a good idea to combine your visit to the palace with Karlskirche, which is located between Belvedere Palace and Innere Stadt.
Belvedere Palace is open daily from 10 am to 6 pm, and you can visit at any time during the day. Visiting the Belvederegarten and Botanical Gardens is free, but there is a fee of €15.90 to visit the Upper Belvedere and €8.90 for Belvedere 21. If you want to visit both galleries, you can purchase a 2 in 1 ticket for €22.90.
5. Palace of Justice
The Palace of Justice in Vienna houses the Austrian Supreme Court (Oberster Gerichtshof). Although the exterior of the building is impressive, taking pictures inside the atrium is a must-do. The stunning staircase leading to a statue of Lady Justice and the intricate balustrade make it one of the best photography spots in Vienna. Although not as popular with tourists, it’s best to arrive early to capture the best shots. There is also a lovely rooftop café to check out. Despite some negative reviews from other content creators regarding rude guards who don’t allow outfit changes or multiple photos, we had a positive experience with friendly guards. As long as you are respectful and limit your clothing choices, you should be fine. Additionally, turn on your camera’s silent mode if possible.
Location on Google Maps: Justizpalast
To reach the Palace of Justice in Vienna, you can walk for about 5 minutes from Volkstheater metro, tram, and bus station. The palace is situated close to Maria-Theresien-Platz and Rathausplatz. It’s best to visit early in the morning when it opens to avoid the crowds. The palace is open Monday to Friday from 7:30 am to 3:30 pm and closed on weekends. There is no admission fee to enter the palace.
6. State Hall of the Austrian National Library
The Austrian National Library’s State Hall is a stunning example of Baroque architecture, complete with sculptures, antique Venetian globes, frescoes, and an impressive collection of over 200,000 books.
Like the Palace of Justice, this attraction is often overlooked by tourists, providing a great opportunity for unique content creation. The State Hall is considered one of the best spots in Vienna for capturing the essence of the Age of Enlightenment with a modern twist.
To make the most of your visit, it’s recommended to arrive at least 10 minutes prior to the official opening time, as this will give you a chance to explore the library before anyone else. This is a great opportunity to take photos without other visitors in the background. The library can be quite dark, so using a wide-angle lens with a wide aperture is recommended. You may also need to increase your ISO if using a low f-stop like f/2.8.
Location on Google Maps: State Hall of the Austrian National Library
To reach the State Hall of the Austrian National Library, you can take a 10-minute walk from Stephansplatz or Herrengasse metro stations. You can also walk to Burggarten, the Vienna State Opera, and the Palace of Justice.
The best time to visit is right at the opening time of 10 am, so arrive early in the morning. The State Hall is open from Tuesday to Sunday, 10 am to 6 pm, and 10 am to 9 pm on Thursdays. The admission fee for visiting the State Hall is €10, and an extra fee is required to visit the other five museums at the complex.
7. Vienna State Opera
The Vienna State Opera, an important landmark of the city for music and performing arts, is a classic spot for photography that you won’t want to miss. This Renaissance Revival building was constructed in 1869 and currently hosts seasonal performances from September to June every year.
To capture the exterior of the Vienna State Opera, the best spot is actually across the road in front of the Albertina Museum. However, don’t miss the chance to take a closer look at the building too.
If you want to visit the Vienna State Opera, you can take the Karlsplatz Metro Station, which is less than a 5-minute walk away, or hop on one of the dozens of buses and trams that stop right outside on the Ringstrasse. The best time to visit is any time of day, and it’s free to take photos outside. If you want to go inside and explore the theater, there is a 40-minute guided tour available for €13.
Location on Google Maps: Vienna State Opera, Albertina Museum
The Karlsplatz Metro Station is a short walk away, and there are numerous buses and trams that stop directly on the Ringstrasse. The location can be visited at any time of the day. Admission is free of charge. However, if you want to explore the theater’s interior, you can take a 40-minute guided tour for €13.
8. Albrechtsbrunnen
To be found across from the Albertina Museum, Albrechtsbrunnen is a fountain that features several statues symbolizing the connection between Vienna (Vindobona) and the River Danube (Danubius). Other waterways are also portrayed, emphasizing the might of Austria-Hungary.
On a sunny day with the fountain in full flow, it’s one of the most attractive open-air locations in Vienna that’s perfect for Instagram, and it rivals Rome’s Trevi Fountain.
Location on Google Maps: Albrechtsbrunnen
To reach Albrechtsbrunnen, you can walk for about five minutes from Stephansplatz Metro Station, or use the nearby buses and trams on the Ringstrasse. You can also reach it on foot from Burggarten and the Vienna State Opera. The fountain is accessible at any time of the day, and there are no costs associated with visiting it.
9. Michaelerplatz
To capture the essence of Vienna through photography, I suggest visiting Michaelerplatz, a public square located in the heart of the Innere Stadt. This square serves as the main entrance to The Hofburg, the former imperial palace of the Habsburgs, and features the Michaelskirche, a historic church dating back to the 13th century, as well as the excavated site of Vindobona, a Roman settlement.
Michaelerplatz provides numerous photography opportunities in close proximity to each other. Additionally, during the Christmas season, visitors can enjoy one of Europe’s best Christmas markets. It is easily accessible and a must-visit for any photographer in Vienna.
Location on Google Maps: Michaelerplatz
To get to Michaelerplatz, you can take a short walk from Stephansplatz or Herrengasse metro stations. If you want to visit, it is recommended to go early in the morning before the crowds start to gather. The good news is that there is no cost to visit Michaelerplatz.
10. Burggarten
Burggarten is a well-manicured garden that extends to the rear of The Hofburg and can be visited as part of a combined tour with the palace or separately. The garden is adorned with statues of renowned figures such as Mozart and Franz Josef, and at its center stands the Schmetterlinghaus, an Art Nouveau conservatory that hosts numerous butterfly species, making it a great spot for butterfly enthusiasts and Instagrammers alike. Burggarten offers ample room to experiment with various photography styles.
Location on Google Maps: Burggarten
To access Burggarten, visitors can take several trams and buses that stop on the Ringstrasse, the nearest being Burgring. Alternatively, Volkstheater and Karlsplatz metro stations are 10 minutes away on foot, and Stephansplatz is 15 minutes away. The gardens are open every day from 7 am to 5:30 pm, making any time of day suitable for a visit. The entrance to the gardens is free, but there is a fee of €9 to enter the Schmetterlinghaus, which is open daily from 10 am to 4 pm and houses hundreds of butterflies.